Throwback thursday! It's been almost 3 weeks since I crossed the finish line at #ecsny and I've gotten so swept up in life I haven't had much time to reflect.
A year ago on Monday I went for my first trail run. It was hard, I walked most of the 4 miles, but I loved it! I turned to the trails over and over as a way to deal with the traumas I was facing and the trails held me, caught my tears and provided me peace. It seems only fitting that trail running has remained in my life as I've healed and moved forward. I am so proud of what I've accomplished and I am excited to see what the next journey is.

What makes you happy? Here’s one of the things that makes me grin from cheek to cheek. I’ve started a running group with an awesome group of kids here in #tamilnadu for the last month. It all started when 2 kids asked “Can we come running with you? “
I’ve been working with an amazing NGO called the global pathways school for the last 3 years here in India. Every year I continue training and running 1-2 times a day while I’m here. When running through the village people now know me and wave to say hi.
However, running in conservative rural India doesn’t happen often. I get some stares. Some people seemed confused when they see me running; often offering me a ride or asking me “what are you running from?”. So when these 2 kids asked me to join on a run I realized it was big deal. Especially because one was a girl. You will never see a girl running here, especially alone. She said she loved running but never had that opportunity to do so other than gym class. It made me so happy that by simply organizing a little running session, it provided her with the opportunity to openly do something she loved despite cultural norms. So we started running sessions. It didn’t feel like much, but some of the kids expressed that I meant much more than just a run.
Plus an occasional coconut after the run (in 35 degree heat, sandals and pants) made it so much more worth it. 🥥
Thanks @jessamalyn , Paul, @umaiyahl and Kirsten for being outstanding role models and rippin up the roads !
I am working on helping support this group and help it continue happening in the future. #staytuned .
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#india#run#running#runnerscommunity#runnersworld#runnersworldindia#reebokindia#girlpower@reebokindia#bemorehuman#trailrunning#trailrunner#laufen#lauf#laufenmachtglücklich#runcommunity#runnercommunity@mcmastersports@midnightrunners In India 🇮🇳